• 260 likes • 458 Views
Gunpowder Empires. Chapter 21-22?. Ottomans in Middle East, Mughals in India, China & Japan. Middle East, India, China. Dominated postclassical period But position challenged in 1450-1750 Lingering vibrancy makes these areas less affected by European expansion
E N D
Gunpowder Empires Chapter 21-22? Ottomans in Middle East, Mughals in India, China & Japan
Middle East, India, China • Dominated postclassical period • But position challenged in 1450-1750 • Lingering vibrancy makes these areas less affected by European expansion • Seeds of 19th century subordinance laid
Muslim Empires Ottomans, Safavids, & Mughals: from Bridge b/t Civs to Gunpowder Empires Chapter 21, pgs 456-480
The Ottoman Empire crash course intro Istanbul song
Turkey? When most think of Turkey, they think of… …instead of… • Why are the birds called this? And, what can we learn from their names?
Etymology of “Turkey” • Result of the Turks being the primary merchants responsible for trading the guinea fowl in Europe • Thus, when Spain opened the Americas, the domesticated birds found in the Aztec Empire gradually grew to be called, “turkeys.” • In fact, the Ottomans were such import traders that corn was originally called, “turkey corn.”
Question • Describe conflicts and competition that served to undermine Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese governments.
Janissaries • Elite gunpowder force of Sultan • Part of Devshirme • Process of enslaving young Christian boys • Given a test • High performers – bureaucrats • Others – Janissaries • Based on the creation of a new slave aristocracy
Question • Compare and contrast the Janissary corps and Chinese scholar-gentry.
Mughals • Central Asian descendants of Mongols & Tamerlane seek to fill power vacuum • Remember…rule of India is regionalism • Warrior elites depose Delhi Sultanate & begin building an empire of Muslim ruling elite over Hindu majority
Akbar the Great • Conquers much of India using cannons & muskets to defeat elephant units • Efforts to build prosperous empire • Improve lives of women & poor • Trade-based economy: vigorous internal trade due to unification, external trade of manufactures for silver & Asian goods brought by Europeans • Ease tension b/t Hindus & Muslims
Religious Movements in Response to Hindu-Muslim Life In addition to Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi… Sikhism: • Started 10 prophets, called Gurus • Evidence of period & prolonged contact b/t Hindus & Muslims • Karma Reincarnation • Belief in enlightenment rather than heaven/hell • One God, pray 5 times daily • No caste system
Decline – Weak Successors • Few can follow vigor of Akbar’s leadership & desire to help foster prosperous society • Shah Jahan & grandeur • Few maintain efforts to ease societal tensions • Aurangzeb: gunpowder & Islamic emphasis gone too far
Reflect • Describe conflicts and competition that served to undermine Ottoman and Mughal governments. • Evaluate the extent to which the Ottomans and Mughals represent a departure in Middle Eastern and Indian history. • Compare the Ottoman and Mughal empires.
Safavids: the Shia Challenge • Turkish warriors conquer Persia in wake of Mongols • Promoted Shia Islam • Developed a key rivalry with Ottomans • Case Study: Ottoman victory at the Battle of Chaldiran: • Shia v. Sunni - ends Persian / Shia expansion • Gunpowder v Gunpowder - bloody
Demise of Safavids • Succession – harem, rival princes, & isolation of princes limited successful rule • Conservatism – slave-bureaucrats’ monopoly on gunpowder limits innovation • Internal strife – factional disputes with warrior elites • External pressure – European influence more detrimental due to relative weakness of Safavid technology